Trumped - Pocket protests, deserving winner and a near-miss by young amateur

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Trumped - Pocket protests, deserving winner and a near-miss by young amateur

Park Sung Hyun fired a second consecutive five-under par 67 to capture the US Women's Open for her first major golf title as President Donald Trump watched.Park, the seventh South Korean winner of the event in 10 years, finished 72 holes at Trump National on 11-under 277, two shots clear of 17-year-old amateur Choi Hye Jin. "I am excited and happy," the 23-year-old LPGA Tour rookie said. "It feels...

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Park Sung Hyun fired a second consecutive five-under par 67 to capture the US Women's Open for her first major golf title as President Donald Trump watched.

Deadlocked for the lead with fellow South Korean Choi, Park sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-4 17th - the day's hardest hole - at the Bedminster, New Jersey course. Moments later, she chipped to within inches of the cup and tapped in for par at the 18th to end it. "When I was about to hit the fourth shot, my mind just went blank, but my caddie kept assuring me so I calmed down and made my shot," Park said. "I did not have the best first and second rounds. I wanted to believe in myself for the remaining rounds."

Last year, Park led by two shots after 36 holes but closed with back-to-back 74s and settled for a share of third.

Trump, who gave Park the thumbs- up sign after her victory, watched from an enclosed viewing area near the 15th green. He was welcomed by most spectators despite outrage sparked by his controversial remarks about women during the elections.

Two small groups of demonstrators in anti-Trump T-shirts appeared at the enclosure. One group had seven people in shirts spelling out "RESIST!" with "This is not normal" on their backs.

Four people from the women's rights group UltraViolet sported shirts saying "USGA - Drop Sexist Trump" and they stared silently at Trump as he waved to well-wishers.

Choi was level with Park after making a six-foot birdie putt at the 15th. But she found the water with her tee shot at the 139-yard, par-3 16th for a double bogey that dropped her two shots back. As an amateur, she is not eligible to receive the US$540,000 (HK$4.215 million) prize money for the runner-up.